Why attend the LDP Summit?
Click the video above to hear what others have to say.
THE ANNUAL LDP SUMMIT
The LDP Summit is the annual opportunity to connect and share with other professionals working to build and improve early career talent development programs. See below for agenda information from past conferences. Our 2023 conference welcomed 153 people from 73 organizations for two wonderful days of sharing and connecting in Pittsburgh.
The 2024 LDP Summit will be held in Minneapolis on May 8-9.
With the support of
Who Comes to the LDP Summit?
“Thank you for another great event. I have been to this event for several years and never leave disappointed. It is always great to take time to learn and network with others.”
Connie Gonzalez, Horizon Therapeutics
“This community’s passion for developing early career talent is palpable; we left energized to tackle our work with new ideas and a fresh perspective, and were happy to share some of our learnings along the way.”
Delaney Buenzli, Abbvie
LDP Connect is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
13th ANNUAL LDP SUMMIT AGENDA
May 8th & 9th, 2024
(Under construction)
Pre-Conference Workshop: Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 (separate registration fee)
12:00 pm
Hosted at
Pre-Conference Workshop: How to Build (or Re-Build) a Quality Early Talent Development Program
Offered again in 2024 due to popular request! Getting a program started on the right footing can make all the difference between success and trouble. With the LDP Connect maturity model as a backdrop, this full-day workshop will get you focused on the key foundational questions to setting up and running an impactful (and measurable) early talent development program. With an emphasis on clarifying your program’s goals, you’ll be guided through considering proper program structure, curriculum design, and community building among stakeholders. If you’re new to the world of early talent development programs, or if you’re looking to re-vamp an existing program that may need recalibration, don’t miss this workshop at Medtronic offices in Minneapolis. Facilitated by early talent development experts at Wronski Associates – a firm with 40 years of experience building and running early talent programs.
Main Conference Day 1: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
7:45 am
Breakfast & Networking
8:15 am
Welcome & Introductions
8:30 am
Opening Keynote
TBD
Dr. Kelvin McCree
TBD
Summary description coming…
9:30 am
Networking Break
9:45 am
Concurrent Session 1A
Talent Development Leader, NextEra Energy Resoruces
Jessica Lepine-Elfus
Manager, Talent Management at Cardinal Health
Michele Williams
Leading through the changing sands of early talent programs
If there is a constant theme to the lives of early talent program managers, it’s “change.” Whether moving participants to new rotations, adapting to the characteristics of the latest generation of hires, tweaking a curriculum, or adjusting to a new set of executive sponsors, sometimes it seems like more is in flux than in place. Inflection points in a program bring risk, but also opportunity. If we have the courage and skill to manage big changes in our program, we can ensure its survival and success. If we can’t change effectively, we risk becoming obsolete. The good news is that “change management” is a learnable skill. In this interactive session, Jessica Lepine-Elfus, certified change management practitioner and former early talent development leader, and Michele Williams, Manager of Talent Management at Cardinal Health will take us through leading successful change. Using a recent, and major, program transformation at Cardinal Health as a backdrop, Jessica and Michele will take you through the steps of smoothing transition and emerging stronger from disruption.
Concurrent Session 1B
Head of Finance Talent Strategy at CVS Health
Walter Gunter
Do you speak Finance? How to keep your investors invested in your program.
Leadership development teams often speak a different language than the finance leaders responsible for maintaining or expanding their funding. When that gap isn’t bridged, the resulting misunderstanding of value can lead to the reduction or elimination of programs that are valuable to your organization’s bottom line. How can you ensure that you consistently communicate your program’s value in the vernacular of finance – the language of investment? Join Walter Gunter, Head of Finance Talent Strategy at CVS Aetna, and a Finance and HR polymath on a journey to translate and connect your talent development wins into the business results they drive. Tell your program’s story in a way that clearly defines its business impact and return on investment.
10:45 am
Networking Break
11:00 am Concurrent Session 2A
Global Head, Internship Experience Program (SAP iXp) at SAP
Christine Archer, MSHRM
The “Bridge to Nowhere?” What if the business isn’t ready to absorb our graduates?
The core purpose of early career talent pipeline programs is to funnel capable and motivated employees into the business. But that’s an outcome with many competing variables that mostly fall outside of our direct control (particularly when the economy is soft). As businesses cut back, and hiring volumes drop, how can we seize creative ways to ensure that both the business and its early-in-career talents maximize their experience together – even when finding post-program roles is difficult? Join Christine Archer, Global Head of the SAP Internship Experience Program (SAP iXp), for a look at several initiatives she and her team employ to build and market the value of her early career talent – even when conversion options are low. Using the SAP iXp as a backdrop, session attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to create value in an early talent program, without losing sight of conversion as the ultimate goal. Learn how to take control where it’s possible, and how to build influence when it’s not.
Concurrent Session 2B
Talent Development Team Lead at Trane Technologies
Miranda Eisermann
What is Your Persanal Brand? Can having one support your program?
Part of LDP Connect’s mission is to help community members with their own professional development. Happily, anything we learn about bettering ourselves is often practical in helping us develop talent in others. When was the last time you stepped out of your internal coaching role to examine your own personal brand? What do you value, what are you passionate about, what are your strengths, what do others appreciate about you, what do you want to be known for, and how would others describe you? Spend some time re-aligning your values with your career trajectory through the guidance of Miranda Eisermann, Talent Development Team Lead at Trane Technologies and architect of a successful personal brand development seminar for Trane Technologies employees. Leave the session more confident about communicating your own brand, and better equipped to promote the brand of your program and participants as well.
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Community Interactive Session
Topic Tables: "Idea Snack” discussions
2:15 pm
Networking Break
2:30 pm Concurrent Session 3A
Founder at McCool Leadership Development
Ryan McCool
Leading Through Crisis - A Military Perspective
One characteristic of exemplary leadership is the ability to keep composure when all seems to be falling apart. Leaders in our military prepare themselves to think clearly and act decisively in the face of chaoticcircumstances. Although it’s hard to imagine anything happening in our programs that could genuinely be called a “crisis,” we might find ourselves in high-pressure situations where others look to us for leadership and resolve. Did a program participant make a high-profile mistake? Did the program’s supportive executive team just leave the firm? Are your program evaluation metrics showing weak performance in a cost-cutting environment? Join Ryan McCool, former Marine officer and LDP participant for an exploration of effective leadership during crisis. Learn a “selfless leadership” approach that will help you navigate high-pressure situations with poise, and train your LDP’s to do the same.
Concurrent Session 3B
TBD
Michele Williams
TBD
Summary description coming…
3:30 pm
Networking Break
3:45 pm
Rapid Fire Session
Rapid Fire Session
5:00 pm
Evening Reception
Main Conference, Day 2: Thursday, May 9th, 2024
8:00 am
Breakfast & Networking
8:30 am
Opening Plenary
Ken Warman
TBD
Summary description coming…
9:30 am
Networking Break
9:45 am Concurrent Session 4A
TBD
Michele Williams
TBD
Summary description coming…
Concurrent Session 4B
TBD
Michele Williams
TBD
Summary description coming…
10:45 am
Networking Break
11:00 am Concurrent Session 5A
TBD
Michele Williams
TBD
Summary description coming…
Concurrent Session 5B
TBD
Michele Williams
TBD
Summary description coming…
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Breakout Session 6A
Senior Practitioners’ Meeting – Moving Forward Together
1:00 pm
Breakout Session 6B
Functional “Club” Roundtables
2:00 pm
Networking Break
2:15 pm
Closing Plenary
Director at LDP Connect
Dan Beaudry
Key Findings from the 2024 LDP Survey of Early Talent Program Practices
Every two years, the LDP Connect community participates in the LDP Survey – a unique study of practices related to the positioning, management and evaluation of early career talent development programs. The 2024 data includes information collected from many development programs across the country. In this session, we’ll explore what the data tell us. What is a “good” post-program retention rate? What activities are correlated with “success?” How diverse is the typical program? And many other insights. Join us!
3:15 pm
Close and Networking
THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE
2600 Park Avenue
Minneapolis MN, 55407
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Some Participating Organizations
LDP Connect includes professionals from many of the world’s marquis employers, including 40% of the Fortune 100..
